Nativity Scene

Would you please take down the nativity scene in A/V. It is very offensive to an atheist. Every belief or non-belief should be represented equally or not at all. Thank you.

Director's Response: The nativity scene was permitted in the A/V area in response to there having been a menorah that celebrated Chanukah. In the interest of fairness, I consented to the Nativity scene being represented in the same location.

I will recommend to the Board of Trustees for its January 16, 2014, meeting that the library adopt a policy of there being NO representation of religious observances in the New City Library. This recommendation is consistent with your proposed alternative that there be “[none] at all.”

My recommendation will not pertain to the holidays of Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day. Although both holidays had religious-based origins they are both celebrated as lay-holidays—the former, honoring love, and the latter honoring the Irish people.